This opinion concerns limits to the ability of the General Assembly to alter retirement benefits for public employees under the pension program administered by Public Employees’ Retirement Association of Colorado (“PERA”). It is issued at the request of Colorado Treasurer Mike Coffman.

Article VI, § 24 of the Colorado Constitution bars an individual who holds elective political party office from serving on a judicial nominating commission. The Colorado Supreme Court has asked whether certain individuals who hold positions within a political party may serve on a judicial nominating commission.

The Conservation Trust Fund is established by § 29-21-101(2)(a)(I), C.R.S. in order to use Colorado lottery funds to support parks, open space, and recreation. Legislation has been introduced in the Colorado General Assembly to allow monies in the Conservation Trust Fund to be allocated for a specific administrative purpose: to permit state personnel to monitor proper use of Trust Fund dollars. The State Auditor and the Department of Local Affairs ask whether this use of Trust Fund assets is permissible under the Colorado Constitution.

Colorado elected officials receive donations of funds or property from persons or entities that are designated to be used in connection with their office, rather than for election purposes. This opinion considers whether Article XXVIII of the Colorado Constitution, a provision concerning campaign and political finance, applies to these donations. This opinion is issued at the request of the Colorado Secretary of State.